Busted radiator
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Busted radiator
So, my radiator popped a pretty bad leak on the top end and is leaking coolant at a pretty good clip. I am going to replace the radiator and there are several different options but I need to understand the differences. The radiators from Oreilly are around $300 they are Murray radiators and have a Copper/Brass core. The ones from Autozone are the same price but have Aluminum cores. Then I found one from JC Whitney that is $120 and has an aluminum core and a plastic "end tank" (what is an end tank).
I would assume that the Copper/Brass unit from Oreilly is probably the way to go but why would the one from Whitney be so much cheaper? What is an "end Tank" and would I be taking a significant risk by getting the $120 unit as opposed to the more expensive ones?
Here are the links to oreilly and whitney:
Spectra Premium Replacement Radiator - JCWhitney
Murray 432194 - Radiator | O'Reilly Auto Parts
I would assume that the Copper/Brass unit from Oreilly is probably the way to go but why would the one from Whitney be so much cheaper? What is an "end Tank" and would I be taking a significant risk by getting the $120 unit as opposed to the more expensive ones?
Here are the links to oreilly and whitney:
Spectra Premium Replacement Radiator - JCWhitney
Murray 432194 - Radiator | O'Reilly Auto Parts
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Kodiak, Alaska
Ok here us the deal with the radiator delima, copper and brass are way better conductors so they are obviously a better material for a radiator. I replaced mine about a week ago so I have some insight into this topic. The tig welded aluminum ones with aluminum tanks are made in usa and will not rot like the copper and brass ones that have about a 15-20 life span due to the brass getting soft I went with the all aluminum radiator for quality however I have noticed a difference in the cooling, my truck will move the gague a small amount when I pin it going up a long grade that it never did before with the copper radiator. So go cooper if you are going to do a lot of hauling, go aluminum for price and longevity
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,061
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Ok here us the deal with the radiator delima, copper and brass are way better conductors so they are obviously a better material for a radiator. I replaced mine about a week ago so I have some insight into this topic. The tig welded aluminum ones with aluminum tanks are made in usa and will not rot like the copper and brass ones that have about a 15-20 life span due to the brass getting soft I went with the all aluminum radiator for quality however I have noticed a difference in the cooling, my truck will move the gague a small amount when I pin it going up a long grade that it never did before with the copper radiator. So go cooper if you are going to do a lot of hauling, go aluminum for price and longevity
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,216
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From: Princeton MN
The "copper brass" onesfromo'reilly's ARE NOT copper brass they arealuminum and plastic, im stuck with one because i needed the truck,they said it was copper brass and it wasnt they looked deeper and cant get one.